Chobe National Park
50,000 elephants along the Chobe River — Africa's greatest concentration of the world's largest land animal.
Chobe National Park covers 10,566 square kilometres in northern Botswana, renowned for hosting the largest concentration of elephants in Africa — an estimated 50,000 in the Chobe district during the dry season. The park's four distinct ecosystems — the Chobe riverfront, Savuti Marsh, Linyanti Swamp, and Nogatsaa Pans — each offer dramatically different landscapes and experiences. The Chobe River forms the park's northern boundary with Namibia's Caprivi Strip, and sunset boat cruises along the river are among Africa's most iconic experiences.
50,000 elephants along the Chobe River — Africa's greatest concentration of the world's largest land animal.
Best Time to Visit
May to October for massive elephant and buffalo herds along the Chobe River. August to October for Savuti's predator action as water dries up. November to April green season brings migrant birds and lower rates.
What You'll See
50, 000 elephants in the dry season, buffalo herds exceeding 2, 000, large lion prides in Savuti (famous for hunting elephants), leopard along the riverine forest, wild dog, spotted hyena, roan and sable antelope. The Chobe riverfront is one of the few places in Africa where you can see elephants swimming across a river. Over 450 bird species including African skimmer and carmine bee-eater colonies (September-November).
Getting There
Kasane Airport (BBK) is 10 minutes from the Chobe River gate, with flights from Johannesburg, Maun, and Victoria Falls. Self-drive from Victoria Falls/Livingstone border is 80 km (1.5 hours including border crossing). Charter flights access Savuti and Linyanti airstrips. Kasane also offers day-trip access to Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe border).
Where to Go in Chobe National Park
Chobe Riverfront
The Chobe Riverfront stretches along the northern boundary of the park where the Chobe River separates Botswana from Namibia. During the dry season (May-October), elephants wade across the river in herds of hundreds, creating one of Africa's most photographed wildlife spectacles. Afternoon boat cruises (departing from Kasane) combine land and water game viewing — elephants bathing, buffalo drinking, fish eagles hunting, and Nile crocodiles basking on the Namibian sandbanks.
Savuti Marsh
Savuti Marsh is a 10,878-hectare seasonal floodplain in Chobe's southwestern corner, fed by the enigmatic Savuti Channel that has historically dried and refilled in multi-decade cycles. Savuti is legendary for its lion-elephant conflict — prides here have been documented hunting juvenile and even adult elephants at night, behaviour filmed for the National Geographic documentary 'Relentless Enemies.' The marsh attracts vast zebra herds, and Savuti's rocky outcrops bear ancient San rock paintings.
Savuti
The Savuti Marsh area, also known as the Savute, occupies the western section of Chobe National Park and is one of Africa's most dramatic and unpredictable wildlife arenas. The Savuti Channel, which connects the Linyanti River to the Savuti Marsh, has mysteriously dried up and refilled several times over the past century — most recently flowing again in 2009 after being dry for nearly 30 years — creating a landscape that shifts between lush marsh and arid grassland over geological timescales. Savuti is legendary for its lions. The area's resident prides have been extensively studied and filmed, with the "Savuti Marsh Pride" gaining fame for their extraordinary behaviour of hunting young elephants at night — a strategy adopted when the channel was dry and elephants congregated at the remaining artificial waterholes. The San rock paintings at Savuti Hills, some dating back 4,000 years, provide evidence of the area's long human connection. During the dry season, the marsh attracts large herds of zebra and wildebeest along with their attendant predators, creating excellent game viewing in a wild, remote setting accessible only by 4x4 or light aircraft.
Linyanti Marshes
The Linyanti Marshes form a vast wetland system along the Linyanti River on the park's western boundary, managed as private concessions by operators like &Beyond, Wilderness Safaris, and African Bush Camps. With fewer than 10 camps across the entire area, Linyanti offers some of Botswana's most exclusive game viewing — large wild dog packs, elephant herds, lion prides, and over 350 bird species. Night drives and walking safaris are permitted in the private concessions.
Safaris in Chobe National Park
Serengeti & Ngorongoro Private Safari
7 Days
A 7-day private luxury safari through Tanzania's Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater with exclusive lodge stays and dedicated guide.
$4,500 per person
Uganda Primates & Wilderness
7 Days
A 7-day luxury Uganda safari combining mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and Queen Elizabeth NP wildlife.
$4,800 per person
Rwanda Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trek
5 Days
A 5-day luxury Rwanda experience combining mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey encounters, and Nyungwe Forest canopy walks.
$5,500 per person
Kenya Private Conservancy Safari
8 Days
An 8-day luxury Kenya safari through private conservancies — Ol Pejeta rhinos, Laikipia walking safaris, and Masai Mara's big cats.
$6,200 per person
Kruger to Indian Ocean
9 Days
A 9-day luxury journey from Big Five game drives in South Africa's Sabi Sands to the pristine Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique.
$7,500 per person
Great Migration Luxury Experience
10 Days
A 10-day luxury migration safari tracking two million wildebeest across Tanzania's Serengeti, with stays at Africa's finest tented camps.
$7,800 per person
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The world's largest inland delta — mokoro safaris, fly-in camps, and 22,000 km² of pristine Kalahari wetland.
Read Guide →Ready to Explore Chobe National Park?
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